The following links are a treasure trove of info on how, beginning in the 1800s, banks and corporations gained control of our democracy and morphed into ALEC:
1. The History of American Corporate Rule
http://www2.ucsc.edu/...
2. The Creators of Alec and lots of interactive Muckety Maps
http://www.dailykos.com/...
3. The Judicial Takeover - The Amicus Project
4. Atlanta TV journalst exposes the Thug Police used to keep a recent ALEC gathering cloaked in secrecy, awesome video
http://www.dailykos.com/...
http://www.dailykos.com/...
I apologize for the brevity. Using an iPad (two computers rendered useless in the last year) coupled with a 40 hr a week job leave little time energy for in-depth research presentations.
I will state with no hesitation, that our democracy has always been skewed towards control by the power elite and their off spring as demonstrated in the first link. I am not sure that can be changed.
The monied minority can afford to out maneuver the more populist poor majority everytime, or so it seems.
There is a treasure trove of empirical evidence in the many research papers presented in the first link that fellow RESEARCH WONKS will both enjoy and find enlightening.
As far as finding solutions, perhaps some here can rally and present a platform of
HOW DO WE WANT THE USA TO FUNCTION
at all levels of governance.
A solution or solutions need a clear goal(s)
Well, off to work
Love you all
WOE